Agartala, Oct 28: The Tripura government is contemplating a plan to introduce reservation for sportspersons in government jobs, a minister said on Friday.
 
Addressing a press conference, Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Sushanta Chowdhury said, the state cabinet would soon take the decision regarding reservation for players in government jobs.
 
He said, the reservation policy for players is already in force in some states like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
 
In the press conference, Chowdhury highlighted the major achievements of the department in infrastructure development.
 
He said, the Tripura government has already sent a proposal of Rs. 200 crore for development of the sports sector under PM-DevINE (Prime Minister's Development Initiative for North-East). Under this project, upgradation of Dasharath Deb stadium, upgradation of Bholagiri ground to mini stadium and renovation of Bhagat Singh Youth Hostel would be taken up.
 
The Sports minister said, the state government is giving priority to infrastructure development for improving the sports arena.
 
Under the Khelo India scheme, construction of a swimming pool is underway at the Regional College of Physical Education, Panisagar at the cost of Rs. 5 crore. Besides, a synthetic football turf is nearing completion at Khowai Higher Secondary School ground.
 
He also said, another synthetic turf for athletics is being constructed at Dasharath Deb State Sports Complex, Badharghat.
 
The Sports minister further said, the state government provided Rs. 20 crore from special assistance fund for constructing synthetic football turfs in four places- Umakanta ground in Agartala, Sachindranagar Higher Secondary School in Jirania, Tulakuna in Mohanpur and Belonia school ground. The expenditure for each of the synthetic turf is Rs. 5 crore. The works have almost completed.
 
According to Chowdhury, the central government recently sanctioned R. 17.50 crore for sports infrastructure development in Tripura. A synthetic turf for hockey and another synthetic turf for athletics would be constructed at Badharghat stadium and Panisagar respectively by using the central fund.
 
As decided by the cabinet, the process for recruitment of 100 Junior Physical Instructors is underway, Chowdhury said.
 
The Sports minister also said, a state-wide campaign against drugs would be launched in the next month to raise awareness among the youths. Under this programme, street drama and campaign would be carried out in all sub-divisions.
 
Secretary of Youth Affairs and Sports department- Dr. P.K. Chakravarty was also present in the press conference.